ACHS’s Board of Directors
About Our Board of Directors
ACHS’s Board of Directors is responsible for establishing policies to ensure the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of student learning programs and services and the financial stability of the institution. Once the Board reaches a decision, it acts as a whole.
- Establishes policies consistent with the mission statement to ensure the quality, integrity, and improvement of student learning programs and services and the resources necessary to support them. The Board has ultimate responsibility for educational quality, legal matters, and financial integrity.
- Reviews the Board’s bylaws and policies specifying the Board’s size, duties, responsibilities, structure, and operating procedures. The Board regularly evaluates its policies and practices and revises them as necessary. The Board acts in a manner consistent with its policies and bylaws.
- Reviews Board development and new member orientation.
- Conducts self-evaluation processes to assess Board performance.
- Abides by the code of ethics.
- Is informed about and involved in the accreditation process.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Dr. Wanda Nitsch, BS, MS, PhD
Board Chair, Public Member
Dr. Wanda Nitsch, retired President and Chief Academic Officer of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has been a physical therapist for over 40 years and faculty member for over 25 years. Dr. Nitsch graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1997, she completed a Master of Science in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. With an interest in administration, Wanda completed her PhD in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University. She is a graduate of the Assessment Leadership Academy sponsored by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Dr. Nitsch is a strong supporter of student-centric support services, innovative educational technology, and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. Her areas of research are learning assessment, distance education, and faculty development. Dr. Nitsch has extensive experience in accreditation, serving multiple times as chair and education specialist on accreditation site visits both nationally and internationally. She is the past chair and commissioner for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and a higher education consultant assisting institutions develop programs, policies, and processes that support best practice in educational quality assurance.
Norman S. Bloomberg, BS, MBA
Public Member
Norman S. Bloomberg is a seasoned executive with deep expertise in higher education strategy, digital learning operations, and cross-border program delivery. He excels at building scalable, compliant operating models and data-driven strategic plans that improve student outcomes and enterprise value. His career demonstrates a consistent ability to translate strategic vision into measurable results through global collaboration, innovative product and enrollment strategies, and rigorous performance governance. Over the course of his career, Norm has held senior positions at Laureate Education Inc. and Citigroup and earned his MBA in finance from New York University.
Stacy Conrad, BBA, MS, CPA
Public Member
Stacy Conrad is a Certified Public Accountant with public and private accounting experience. Stacy earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting and Auditing from Texas A&M University. Stacy began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and later transitioned into the private sector following a relocation. Stacy has served as an External Auditor, Internal Auditor, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller during her career. Stacy has extensive knowledge in the Oil & Gas and Homebuilding industries. Stacy’s blend of professional activities with University-level teaching, Becker CPA Review Lead instructor responsibilities and Continuing Professional Education contribution opportunities has allowed her to develop a unique skill set of providing Accounting expertise and explaining challenging Accounting topics to a range of clients and students.
Clyde B. Jensen, Ph.D.
Public Member
Dr. Clyde B. Jensen is distinguished as the only person to have served as a leader and professor (physiology and pharmacology) in colleges of allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, oriental medicine, and chiropractic. He has coined the phrase “continuum cleft” to describe the gap that separates conventional and complementary health care and published concerning the financial and qualitative costs of the cleft to American health care consumers. Dr. Jensen has acknowledged that it is his personal mission to help “mend the cleft” by fostering collaboration among health care professions and their educational institutions.
Nicola (Nikki) Martin, BS, MS, SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP
Public Member
Nicola (Nikki) Martin is an accomplished human resources leader with over 30 years of experience, including 14 years specifically in higher education. She has a proven track record in strategic talent management and organizational development. Currently, Nikki is a member of The Registry, where she provides interim human resources leadership consultation to colleges and universities.
Previously, she served as Senior Director of Human Resources at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. During her tenure at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Nikki demonstrated exceptional adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully transitioning the workforce to a remote model and introducing innovative health and wellness programs.
Nikki holds a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Business Communications from Walden University. Her diverse experience spans both higher education and healthcare.
Dorene Petersen, BA, Dip.NT, Dip.Acu, RH (AHG)
Founding President
American College of Healthcare Sciences, was founded in 1978 by Dorene Petersen, in New Zealand, and later she opened additional branches in Australia and Hong Kong. Today, though, ACHS is housed entirely on the U.S. campus located in Portland, Oregon.
In May 2009 the College officially changed its name from the Australasian College of Health Sciences to the American College of Healthcare Sciences. The name change celebrates the College’s 20th anniversary of operations in the United States and better represents the College’s long-term goals as an Institute of Higher Learning in the U.S.
Dorene holds a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and is a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. She has also completed part one of the Advanced International Training Program in essential oils at Purdue University.
In addition to her work with the College, Dorene teaches courses for ACHS and leads the annual ACHS Summer School study-abroad programs to Greece, which explore holistic health, Mediterranean nutrition, therapeutic aromatherapy and distillation, among other topics. She is an eCollege certified online instructor and is a faculty member meeting the qualifications prescribed by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization. She stays abreast of current methodologies through various trainings with the Distance Education Training Council and by attending annual conferences about online learning, educational technology and instructional design. Dorene regularly lectures about medical herbalism, aromatherapy, iridology, and natural body care, including appearances at: The South Pacific College of Natural Therapies (NZ), the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), the Aesthetics Institute, the Birthingway School of Midwifery, and Western States University, all in Portland Oregon.
In addition, Dorene has appeared on various TV and radio shows, including Good Morning Oregon, the National Radio Show Voice of America, and KPTV Better Portland, and has presented papers at: The Herb Growers and Marketers Conference in Hyannis, Massachusetts; at the International Scientific Aromatherapy Symposium in Grasse, France; and at the International Herb Association Conference in Portland, Oregon. Her articles about aromatherapy have appeared in publications worldwide, including: Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, The News Quarterly, Making Scents, The Herbarist, the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Massage Magazine, the Aromatherapy Registration Council newsletter, and on Blogcritics.org.
Dorene currently serves as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), an independent, nonprofit organization that administers the national examination in aromatherapy to ensure minimum standards of training and safety knowledge of registered aromatherapists. Petersen is also a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. In 2009, Dorene was awarded the Professional Service Award from the International Herb Association for her outstanding contributions to the herb industry.
Dorene is active with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC, formerly DETC), and chaired the DETC annual meeting and conference in Seattle in 2006. She is also a member of the Research and Educational Standards Subcommittee of the DEAC.
Patricia Y. Talbert, Ph.D., MPH, MS, CPHA, CHES®, cGPHN
Public Member
Patricia Y. Talbert earned her Ph.D. in Public Health, specializing in Community Health Promotion and Education, from Walden University. She holds numerous nationally accredited degrees and professional certifications. Her expertise spans higher education, leadership, and public health, with a primary focus on women’s health and maternal care, behavioral change, and health promotion. Dr. Talbert’s research interests include primary prevention, social and physical determinants of health, and maternal health. She has worked for over 35 years as an administrator, educator, academic mentor, researcher, and consultant, holding multiple leadership positions.
Dr. Talbert has numerous publications, grants, and presentations focused on leadership, public health, and business. Most recently, she has explored how artificial intelligence and machine learning can predict behavioral changes and educate others about diabetes by analyzing large, complex datasets and using those insights to empower individuals to make better lifestyle choices, implement self-management plans, and improve behavioral habits. She is currently collaborating with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leaders, and academicians on a grant focused on addressing Black maternal health and the persistent disparities affecting women of color.
In 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) featured Dr. Talbert, Principal Investigator, for her collaborative research on vaccine hesitancy and her work developing strategies to educate, prepare, and plan for future catastrophes. She has reviewed multiple grants as a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant reviewer and has collaborated on evaluating business operations and academic programs, as well as various project initiatives. Dr. Talbert is a dedicated, performance-driven leader and public health expert passionate about exploring leadership strategies to improve operations and processes and about promoting health and wellness. She is also a tenured Associate Professor, served as an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration at Howard University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences for 10 years, and continues her leadership in educating and supporting others.
Dr. Talbert is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Subcommittee Governing Council, the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). She serves as an educational reviewer for the American Council on Education (ACE) in Health and Education Sciences: Public Health/Health Care Management Programs, and for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).